I had the pleasure of reviewing the last WiT album Maledictus Dies Illa for Ave Noctum and due to that I must put my cards on the table and say that I have been given access to this album since its days as rough demos up to this finished article. A genuine first for me so my thanks, especially as I promised only an honest opinion.
So here is that opinion.
The Yorkshire based band, started and propelled by main man Leviathan (also of Morte Lune), have in reality on this release expanded to a three piece with creative and technical input from guitarist/keyboards Prometheus and drums from Storm (Blasphemor, ex-Bal Sagoth, ex-My Dying Bride).
It’s also a concept, and a pretty good one for a black metal band if based on a little-known bit of local history – the attempt in 1829 by one Jonathan Martin to burn down York Minster. A man with a traumatic life (witnessing the murder of his sister, being brought up by an aunt with a religious obsession, being press ganged, being a Wesleyan preacher denouncing the Church Of England, threats, insanity, death of loved ones, incarceration…. And setting fire to the Minster.)
‘Anger Road’ opens Mr Martin’s journey, some neatly strummed guitar managing to draw in the atmosphere just from those notes. The riff is driving, the vocals string and the backing vocals an excellent contrast. Dropping into acoustic work lets me know the next thing; the production here is so good. It picks out the sound perfectly, the keyboard adding background melody amidst the riffing. Little moments of bass work take the spotlight here and there and the tempo changes are fluid and tight in the hands of Storm. It’s a curious but excellent blend of true metal lead breaks, acoustic guitar and black metal turbulence.
This is most definitely a step on in song-writing and performance; the ease with which the atmosphere is conjured and controlled, the layering, are really so good.
‘Contra Passo’ brings something almost like and epic sway to the sound. The keyboards are prominent, the melody epic, a feel Emperor circa Anthems in the controlled storm between guitars and keys. The lead work here is just excellent. It’s all fire and anger as the lyrics lead us through the collapse of Martin’s psyche and his religious fervour railing and lashing out against the Papal lie as he sees apocalyptic flames as the cleanser…
‘The Alure Of The Dark’ is more fierce, more direct. Moments of classic black metal riding on a sea and a tide over which you have no control. Towards the inevitable? Rich and hugely melodic and with vocals as tortured as our protagonist but with the most deft of drumming hands on the tiller making all the difference. ‘Mors Ultima’ is the coalescing of purpose in a monomaniacal mind. “Complete absence of light gives clarity of mind…”
With the whispering words hidden beneath the assault of the Minster organ, he receives his ‘Black Command’. A subdued opening and clean vocals, an ecclesiastical timbre pulling them in until flames erupt amidst burning psalms and useless hymn books. The deed done.
And so the ‘Dies Irae’. Assailed by apocalyptic visions, the intrusion still of religious images and monastic voices, the closing song is an eerie, sometimes descent to the pits of madness in his mind. It is fiery but somehow slows into that final collapse, the music spiralling slowly down until all is stilled….
Fascinating album. Written In Torment have really taken their sound on. It has melody, attack and the layering and tempo shifts are now spot on. Songs flow or sway or weave through their melody but the black metal foundations blaze at a moment ‘s notice. Have to say you can feel the amazing instinctive touch of Storm behind the drumkit here too and the almost traditional heavy metal lead work is beautifully judged for these songs.
Ah, it’s just a great album with an intriguing tormented (!) theme and lyrics to read through as it plays. A prime example of melodic UKBM. You really need to give this the time it deserves.
Excellent.
(8/10 Gizmo)
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